Breda Mural 26 -- 'Poort van Schoenmakers'

'Port van SHKHOON-mah-kers'

'Schoenmakers' is a family name taken from the word 'schoenmaker' or 'shoemaker'.  The German 'Schumacher' might be more familiar.

This mural can be found in a tunnel passageway close to one of the busiest parking areas near the ancient city centre -- the Vlaszak.  The painter, an art student, wanted to create a mural here as part of his final thesis.  This was in 2017.  However, the building, which used to be part of an urban farming complex called 'Het Wit Lam', or 'The White Lamb', was for sale.  At about the same time, a local, Gus Welten, was working on the history of his family and stumbled on some information about his grandmother, Nel Schoenmakers.  She used to live in 'Het Wit Lam'.  He came across the name of the painter, Sam van der Weijden ('Waaidun'), in a newspaper article, where Sam had expressed his plans to paint the mural.  Gus contacted Sam and that is how the mural was realized.  The building was bought by a real estate developer, who renovated it and put in modern apartments.  When construction was finished, Sam finally painted the mural and the tunnel was named after Gus's grandmother.

Main shot -- Gus's grandmother, adorning one side of the tunnel
Extras -- 'Het Wit Lam' adorning the other side, and, on the ceiling, an old map of the city of Breda

AW and I parked in the free parking area close to the former tax office, just like last time, and walked the same route.  We passed by Headman at the coffee shop and I browsed in a nearby bookstore while waiting for him.  On the way there, we bought some Dunkin Donuts... yummy!  After the coffee shop, we went to the Vlaszak so that I could shoot this.  Tunnels are convenient when the weather is not so good.  Afterwards, back to the car and home.

My appetite has kicked back in with a vengeance.  That is a good sign, but now to make sure I take in more protein than I used to.  The walk was brisk and took care of our exercise needs today.  I need to work on that aspect as well.

Thankful for a fab Sunday afternoon together!